The "12" shape is, to my eye, one of Dunhill's more interesting configurations. Though displaying a tall Billiard bowl of Stack-like proportions, in profile, the design is quite balanced, matching that visual weight of the bowl with a subtly downturned stem that really works to balance out the composition. Here we see the unique briar presented in Group 5 proportions, lending even more depth to the chamber, and making for a stunning display of grain here in the Shell Briar finish.

The Shell Briar's addition to the Dunhill catalog was a pivotal moment in pipesmoking history. Before 1917, pipes with sandblasted finishes had never been made, and Alfred Dunhill's innovative mind created arguably the most popular finish for pipes today when he unveiled the Shell Briar. With its dark, reserved color palette and delightful texture, it's no surprise that it's still wildly popular over a century later.